"It's similar to, I guess the guys in Sydney or Newcastle would know of Shark Island," he says.

"It's a left-hand break in deep water and it has rocky outcrops all over the place."

Lee says the area, which is 5-10km north of Coffs Harbour, is a big nursery for fish.

"It's probably two or three-hundred metres out to sea, it's a long paddle," he says.

Lee says it's not unusual for bodyboarders to be attracted to risky spots.

"Those guys, they want to surf big waves, they want to feel adrenaline," he says.

"Sometimes the places that they surf, they're in deep water and sharks are looking for food and fish.

"It seems like the way young Zac was attacked it was just a rare attack and the shark let him go.

"It's just a random attack and it's unfortunate.

"It's sad, but he died doing something he loved."

While Lee says it would be nice to know what type of shark was involved and whether it was territorial to the local area or just passing through, he doesn't believe tracking it down and killing it is a solution.

"Anyone has to think, you enter the water, you enter their home," he says.

He points out that the last fatal shark attack in NSW waters was five years ago, and says the beaches around Coffs Harbour are usually very safe.

In fact the last deadly shark attack in that area was back in 1938.

Lee says it's a sad and tragic time for Zac's family and the surfing community, but he particularly feels for the young bodyboarders who tried to save their mate.

"Horrible, horrrible circumstances for those boys and I only can send all our thoughts and wishes to them and the family," he says.

"That's just some nasty stuff for them to process for years to come in their lives.